Inspiration Week
There was something about this past week that made all the colors in the world brighter, everything taste better, and the whole world just seem more vivid and hopeful. I am inspired.
While little happened this past week which would cause it to be bestowed the title Best.Week.Ever., I did run across a few moments that definitely make me smile when I play them over in my head.
I hope the momentum of last week will help me as I fling myself into this next week, with my two tests and trip to Illinois on Friday. While I am inspired in general, unfortunately, it's not the case with my studies. There weather's too nice and there is too much fun stuff going on right now...and honestly, I'd rather do about anything other than study...which likely explains my freshly mopped floors.
Where are They Now?
Six years. Six long years. Six long years ago on a football field in the middle of a cornfield somewhere in Illinois...that was the last time I saw a friend that forever colored my life in so many shades of wonderful that I can't even begin to describe. Six years ago Saturday. I firmly believe that we meet certain people in life purely to learn from them. Learn things about life, ourselves, love, etc. I guess I could say I learned how to unabashedly live from this person. How to enjoy the simple, stupid things in life and to go have fun and do my own thing without giving a damn about what was cool or what the world around me thought. And then as soon as this person appeared, he was gone. Every now and then, I'll hear minor updates on what he's up to or where he's traveling to, but for all practical purposes, he's faded into the ether and will never again materialize. He's off being free somewhere and enlightening the world...I guess that's his job. But I'd be a damn liar if I said that even six years later, when I think about missing my friend that it doesn't bring a lump to my throat. ...and then I think of that "night at the biker bar" and I can't stop laughing...
A Picture's Worth...
I don't always take photographs for sentimental value. I don't always take photographs for art. I do, however, always take photographs for truth. You can tell a lot about a person by how they photograph. Not necessarily their photogenicity, but how they hold their bodies, the type of smile (if any) they flash the camera, what they are doing when the picture is taken...I think candid photos can give a good represntation of a person. The type of smile-forced, natural, laughing, what was happeneing at the moment, the gleam in one's (red)eye... I have fallen in and out of love all over again with many a person through photographs-not so much because of the attractiveness of a picture, but because of the truth behind it. Many Native Americans were afraid of having their pictures taken because they believed that the camera was a device for stealing the soul. I think the camera is a good device for capturing a good representation of it.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
The Phenomenon of the NSYAE
Every moment in college in wrapped in a certain urgency moment in high school or "adult" life rarely has. When you're in college, it's like you have this terminal disease, and at the end of four years, you pass into adult living, which typically requires a sudden move to a new city in a new time zone far, far away from the ones you know and love. See that person sitting next to you in English? How about your friend sitting across the table from you? When you're in college, there's a good chance that unless something happens, some certain chain of events is set in place, that it's likely you could never see that person again once the semester ends. And that, my friend, can be quite a jarring realization.
This can wreak havoc on how you'd normally react to people, you see. I will admit to having given out my phone number to people, even when I really didn't want to, because I realized that once they leave campus, that we may never again see each other. I've also found myself asking the bagel lady to 'tell me a bit about herself' because I just HAD to know from where the bagel lady hails. That realization makes you react to people as if they are dying. "Oh, that poor boy may never come back here again, I think I'll give him my number." Is that rational thinking? NO! But, it happens and it's all a result of what I've taken to calling the "Never See You Again Effect."
The "Never See You Again Effect," or NSYAE as those in the know call it, is characterized by a sudden feeling of urgent desperation and sadness. It is guilt, confusion, and a little bit of temporary insanity rolled into one panicked mess. All of your feelings for a person, no matter how benign, are suddenly intensified and you find yourself not knowing what to do. You also realize that this is your last chance to find out answers to any questions that you may have ever had, no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Loss of rational thought and impulsiveness are classic symptoms of NSYAE. And, unfortunately, once stricken with NYSAE, there is nothing that can be done. If you know someone that has this, your best bet is to either try to stop them, or if you're not around when NSYAE strikes, to listen and reassure your friend once the episode has passed. Lying is a good solution too. "Sure you did the right thing by agreeing to go on a date with that person." "Don't worry, I'll miss the smelly person that lives down the hall too." "Sure the bagel lady will still give you bagels when you come back for Homecoming. I don't think you freaked her out too badly." "Hey, every cries when they fill in the last circle on their last scantron test. I'm sure your basket-weaving class was a killer."
Of course, since momentary emotionally-induced impulsive stupidity...I mean NSYAE carries just slightly less stigma peeing your pants when you sneeze, you are likely to find yourself hiding your condition and having to deal with it on your own. For this, you must learn to better understand your inner id. Why do you suddenly decide to act or feel a certain way? Examine these feelings. Embrace them. Weigh the consequences and then decide whether to act on it or suppress it. So act and think carefully.
But do it all knowing that this may be your last chance...ever.
So the next time someone asks you an utterly bizarre question, uncharacteristically hits on you, randomly grabs you and hugs you, or just won't stop staring, give them the benefit of the doubt and deduce that they may be suffering from NSYAE. Afterall, with this being college, who knows where we will all be in a few months?
Every moment in college in wrapped in a certain urgency moment in high school or "adult" life rarely has. When you're in college, it's like you have this terminal disease, and at the end of four years, you pass into adult living, which typically requires a sudden move to a new city in a new time zone far, far away from the ones you know and love. See that person sitting next to you in English? How about your friend sitting across the table from you? When you're in college, there's a good chance that unless something happens, some certain chain of events is set in place, that it's likely you could never see that person again once the semester ends. And that, my friend, can be quite a jarring realization.
This can wreak havoc on how you'd normally react to people, you see. I will admit to having given out my phone number to people, even when I really didn't want to, because I realized that once they leave campus, that we may never again see each other. I've also found myself asking the bagel lady to 'tell me a bit about herself' because I just HAD to know from where the bagel lady hails. That realization makes you react to people as if they are dying. "Oh, that poor boy may never come back here again, I think I'll give him my number." Is that rational thinking? NO! But, it happens and it's all a result of what I've taken to calling the "Never See You Again Effect."
The "Never See You Again Effect," or NSYAE as those in the know call it, is characterized by a sudden feeling of urgent desperation and sadness. It is guilt, confusion, and a little bit of temporary insanity rolled into one panicked mess. All of your feelings for a person, no matter how benign, are suddenly intensified and you find yourself not knowing what to do. You also realize that this is your last chance to find out answers to any questions that you may have ever had, no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Loss of rational thought and impulsiveness are classic symptoms of NSYAE. And, unfortunately, once stricken with NYSAE, there is nothing that can be done. If you know someone that has this, your best bet is to either try to stop them, or if you're not around when NSYAE strikes, to listen and reassure your friend once the episode has passed. Lying is a good solution too. "Sure you did the right thing by agreeing to go on a date with that person." "Don't worry, I'll miss the smelly person that lives down the hall too." "Sure the bagel lady will still give you bagels when you come back for Homecoming. I don't think you freaked her out too badly." "Hey, every cries when they fill in the last circle on their last scantron test. I'm sure your basket-weaving class was a killer."
Of course, since momentary emotionally-induced impulsive stupidity...I mean NSYAE carries just slightly less stigma peeing your pants when you sneeze, you are likely to find yourself hiding your condition and having to deal with it on your own. For this, you must learn to better understand your inner id. Why do you suddenly decide to act or feel a certain way? Examine these feelings. Embrace them. Weigh the consequences and then decide whether to act on it or suppress it. So act and think carefully.
But do it all knowing that this may be your last chance...ever.
So the next time someone asks you an utterly bizarre question, uncharacteristically hits on you, randomly grabs you and hugs you, or just won't stop staring, give them the benefit of the doubt and deduce that they may be suffering from NSYAE. Afterall, with this being college, who knows where we will all be in a few months?
Sunday, September 19, 2004
That's FOC'd up...
Festival
Of
Champions
Foc.
This makes for a nice play on everyone's favorite explative, don't you think? How convenient for what turned out to be one of my favorite parties of the year. There was nothing groundbreaking about this party. Nothing overly cool happened. Hell, with the beer line being so slow (it was like waiting for bread in mother-Russia), I did not even develop a buzz of any sort. However, I saw many people that I've not had a chance to see much lately, bonded with sisters, and even learned a little bit about myself tonight. Also, I was laughed at, kissed on the head by a random dude in the beer line, hit on, forgotten about at log cabin (log cabin-you're moving from the 'in' column to the 'out' column) , and had my first Hardees Cinnamon Raisin Biscuit in a while. And I'm either easier to read than I thought or Cawein is clarvoyant. Oh, and to complete the party experience, I saw people puking and left in the 2-something a.m. rush of people when word was traveling that an underage partier had come down with a nasty case of alcohol poisoning. True or not, the crowd was thinning and "roughening up" and I had a chance for a ride home, so I took it and left. Besides, had I taken a cab, I would have missed out on running around dorm circle, strutting into Elizabeth College, time with Kelly, and of course, those sweet, sweet Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
Festival
Of
Champions
Foc.
This makes for a nice play on everyone's favorite explative, don't you think? How convenient for what turned out to be one of my favorite parties of the year. There was nothing groundbreaking about this party. Nothing overly cool happened. Hell, with the beer line being so slow (it was like waiting for bread in mother-Russia), I did not even develop a buzz of any sort. However, I saw many people that I've not had a chance to see much lately, bonded with sisters, and even learned a little bit about myself tonight. Also, I was laughed at, kissed on the head by a random dude in the beer line, hit on, forgotten about at log cabin (log cabin-you're moving from the 'in' column to the 'out' column) , and had my first Hardees Cinnamon Raisin Biscuit in a while. And I'm either easier to read than I thought or Cawein is clarvoyant. Oh, and to complete the party experience, I saw people puking and left in the 2-something a.m. rush of people when word was traveling that an underage partier had come down with a nasty case of alcohol poisoning. True or not, the crowd was thinning and "roughening up" and I had a chance for a ride home, so I took it and left. Besides, had I taken a cab, I would have missed out on running around dorm circle, strutting into Elizabeth College, time with Kelly, and of course, those sweet, sweet Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Super Efficient Happy Fun Folding
This is the inspiration for how I shall fold my tshirts from now on...
My current system for folding a shirt works a little something like this...first, I lay the shirt on the bed with the front facing down and smooth it out a bit. Next, I take each sleeve and fold the sleeve and one-quarter of the shirt on top of the rest of the shirt so i have one long rectangle of shirt. Finally, I fold the shirt in half so I end with one neat square. Often, I'll add another fold to make a smaller square. This works well for putting more clothes into a drawer.
The efficient Asian method involves no flipping, turning or elaborate movements. If you watch the video, you'll notice that once smoothed out with the hands strategically placed, a shirt can be folded in one smooth hand movement. It's quite awe-inspiring. Like mine, the end result is a neat square, but I'd love to learn to do it the Asian way. Besides, it looks cool and that could be my new party trick...I'll be the girl that folds shirts.
This is the inspiration for how I shall fold my tshirts from now on...
My current system for folding a shirt works a little something like this...first, I lay the shirt on the bed with the front facing down and smooth it out a bit. Next, I take each sleeve and fold the sleeve and one-quarter of the shirt on top of the rest of the shirt so i have one long rectangle of shirt. Finally, I fold the shirt in half so I end with one neat square. Often, I'll add another fold to make a smaller square. This works well for putting more clothes into a drawer.
The efficient Asian method involves no flipping, turning or elaborate movements. If you watch the video, you'll notice that once smoothed out with the hands strategically placed, a shirt can be folded in one smooth hand movement. It's quite awe-inspiring. Like mine, the end result is a neat square, but I'd love to learn to do it the Asian way. Besides, it looks cool and that could be my new party trick...I'll be the girl that folds shirts.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Five Friday Facts
1. I'm wearing Spongebob Square Panties today. If you stop me and ask to see them, I will show them to you.
2. I had McDonald's Breakfast Burritos with hot sauce for breakfast today. I love breakfast burritos and endorse them whole-heartedly.
3. I woke up in a really odd mood today. Part of it was having a great night's sleep, another part was having really weird dreams which I recall as being cool, though I can't remember them. Finally, having been woken up by a corgi-dog hopping on me has put a nice, happy gloss on the world, so I'm sure I'm in an interesting mood today as a result. I also whole-heartedly endorse corgi-dogs, though I had no idea they were so energetic.
4. I'm driving to my parents' house in Illinois this evening, but I wish I were leaving later in the night. I feel the urge to play some trance music and have about 200 miles of road hypnosis. It's a great feeling.
5. I'm feeling really nerdy today. This is my preferred mood. I feel smarter, funnier, and more attractive when feeling nerdy because nerds are sexy and will one day rule us all! ...keep that in mind next time you're giving one of us a wedgie.
1. I'm wearing Spongebob Square Panties today. If you stop me and ask to see them, I will show them to you.
2. I had McDonald's Breakfast Burritos with hot sauce for breakfast today. I love breakfast burritos and endorse them whole-heartedly.
3. I woke up in a really odd mood today. Part of it was having a great night's sleep, another part was having really weird dreams which I recall as being cool, though I can't remember them. Finally, having been woken up by a corgi-dog hopping on me has put a nice, happy gloss on the world, so I'm sure I'm in an interesting mood today as a result. I also whole-heartedly endorse corgi-dogs, though I had no idea they were so energetic.
4. I'm driving to my parents' house in Illinois this evening, but I wish I were leaving later in the night. I feel the urge to play some trance music and have about 200 miles of road hypnosis. It's a great feeling.
5. I'm feeling really nerdy today. This is my preferred mood. I feel smarter, funnier, and more attractive when feeling nerdy because nerds are sexy and will one day rule us all! ...keep that in mind next time you're giving one of us a wedgie.
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